Here's some newsworthy items and nuggets to get fans ready for the Jaguars' season opener Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome.

* It's not a good sign for the Jaguars now that outside linebacker Daryl Smith (groin) has been declared out for the opener on Friday's team injury report. Smith will be replaced by third-year linebacker Kyle Bosworth, who will be making his first NFL start, unless the Jaguars open in a nickel defense. Without Smith, the Jaguars may have to play a lot more nickel defense and could be more susceptible to being caught in mismatches. Here's what middle linebacker Paul Posluszny thinks of Smith: "He's our best defender on the field. Whenever he's out there, we're a much better defense. He's the type of player that makes impactful plays, does everything right every time, and he's extremely trustworthy on the field. He's just so technique and fundamentally sound."

* If Maurice Jones-Drew is strictly a third-down back, as coach Mike Mularkey implied earlier this week, that doesn't mean he won't be productive. The last time the Jaguars faced Minnesota in 2008, Jones-Drew was still a backup to Fred Taylor and had nine catches for 113 yards in a 30-12 loss, the first time in team history that a running back had a 100-yard receiving game.

* Pay close attention to the Jaguars' kickoff coverage team, which struggled in preseason with a 35.7 yard return against that unit. Special teams coach John Bonamego acknowledged last week that kickoff coverage needed the most work of the four units. It'd help immensely if kicker Josh Scobee, who has 11 touchbacks in 21 tries in preseason, booms a few kicks beyond the end zone.

* The worst loss in Jaguars' history is a distant memory, but it occured in 1998 in a 50-10 defeat at Minnesota. However, that lopsided score isn't so outlandish when you consider the circumstances. First, that Vikings' offense behind quarterback Randall Cunningham was one of the most prolific in NFL history, scoring an average of 34.9 points per game. Secondly, the Jaguars learned before kickoff they had clinched their first-ever division title. Three years later, the Jaguars got some payback with a 33-3 whipping at Minnesota.

*The Jaguars are 4-3 in their history in road openers, but have dropped three of their last four dating back to 2003. They lost to AFC South rivals Indianapolis 14-12 in 2009 and at Tennessee 17-10 in 2008. Ironically, the last time the Jaguars won a road opener was at Buffalo in 2004, pulling out a 13-10 win on a game-winning TD catch by Ernest Wilford. Making his head coaching debut on the Bills' sideline that day was Jaguars' coach Mike Mularkey.

Daryl is always injured, of course, Kampman holds the record for number of years on the IR and still drawing a salary...Third stringer subbing? Kyle Bozworth? Seems his pro reputation does not precede him, not a good sign. Those gaping holes in the Jag D keep getting bigger.

I will say it again....No quality depth on this roster. Jags refused to strengthen this roster in free agency and then proceeded to drafted a punter in the "TOP" of third round to add insult to injury! Who will be held accountable other than the fans who have to watch this inferior team struggle for 16 weeks?